How to remove black mold from porous materials
The simplest method of removing black mold from porous materials is simply to dispose of the infected item. A carpet that has developed typical mold symptoms, such as black spots or dark green, should be discarded because it could spread mold spores to other areas of the home. Infected books or files should also be thrown away or left in the sun for a long time. Sunlight can kill black mold quite effectively by drying out the moisture that fungi need to grow. Larger items, such as mattresses, should be thrown away, as disinfecting them would be a difficult process.
When black mold has taken hold on porous materials like wood and concrete, you’ll need to take a different approach. A professional would first find out the exact location where the infection occurred and then remove parts of the wall or floor to get to the mold spores. They would then remove any dark or discolored parts of the wall to completely remove the contaminated area. A strong disinfectant should then be used on the area. This is the best way to remove mold that has penetrated deep into porous materials.
Another way to remove black mold from porous materials is by using a strong disinfectant such as powdered borax. When mixed with water, it will penetrate any porous material, killing spores and destroying their roots. It is best to pour a glass of borax into a gallon of water, stirring until the powder is completely dissolved. Before cleaning the affected area, you should take certain precautions, such as putting on gloves and a mask. The spores of the fungus are small filaments that can move easily with any current of air created by their movements. Because of this, it is important to close all doors and windows while cleaning and disinfecting the area, so as not to allow spores to spread to other rooms.
Before you start scrubbing the contaminated area, you should first moisten it with a few sprays of water to reduce the chance of mold spores becoming airborne. The next step is to clean the area with a detergent and a strong brush, concentrating on any cracks or fractures that may harbor fungus. Once this is done, you can begin to disinfect the area. To do this, pour the borax and water mixture on the infected area, making sure the entire area is covered. The borax will penetrate deep into the porous material, killing the roots and making the area habitable for other fungi. Repeat this black mold removal process a few days later to avoid any recurrence of the infection.
Baking soda and water can also be used effectively against spore roots. Similar to the borax and water method, the baking soda should be dissolved in water and poured or sprayed on the affected area. Concrete and other porous materials can be effectively treated in this way, protecting the area with residues left over from the cleaning process.
